Back to: It’s my job
Use the present progressive for actions that are in progress in the present moment.
- Actions that are happening right now
You are reading a grammar explanation. - Actions that are in progress for a limited period of time, including the present
This week, Sonya is working the graveyard shift.
| Affirmative form | Negative form | Question form | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | am | working | am not | working | Am I…? | working |
| You | are | reserving | are not | reserving | Are you…? | reserving |
| He / She / It | is | crying | is not | crying | Is he / she / it…? | crying |
| We / You / They | are | stopping | are not | stopping | Are we / you / they…? | stopping |
| reserving | Verbs ending in –e: delete –e. |
| crying | Verbs ending in –ie: change –ie to –y. |
| stopping beginning but: opening |
Verbs ending in consonant-vowel-consonant (except –w or –x): double the final consonant if the last syllable is stressed. |
Certain verbs should not be used in the –ing form when they refer to states that automatically have a duration. Note that some of these verbs can also describe actions.
| Mental states | Believe, forget, know, mean, need, prefer, realize, remember, think, understand, want |
| Possession | Belong, have, own, possess |
| Senses | Feel, hear, see, smell, sound, taste |
| Emotions | Appreciate, dislike, hate, like, love |
The food tastes great. → State
The chef is tasting her latest creation. → Action
It’s my job – The Present Progressive